Sonic Generations Retrospective | Less is More
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- Join this channel to get early access to uploads:
/ @nintendeen
Hey Everyone, here's my next video in my 3D Sonic Retrospective in Reverse. I hope you enjoy, definitely one of the best 3D Sonic games I ever played!
00:00 Introduction
02:50 Reception
05:45 Story
09:20 Gameplay
13:40 Level Design
20:40 Presentation
22:05 Conclusion
#sonicgenerations #sonicxshadowgenerations #sonicthehedgehog - Hry
Best sonic gameplay on CZcams
Hey, not sure if you mention it, but at your level selection commentary and wanna add; the levels selected were held to a vote. They asked the community to vote for their favorite stage from each title for development. Just wanted to add that, so it wasn't directly developers' choices for which stages ended up in the game 😁
Yeah thanks! I learned that after I had uploaded already lol. I didn't realize it was all the stages though, I thought it was just some of them.
The 3D World of Sonic Looks Great, I e always been a Fan of Sonic from
Playing the PlayStation 2 game and the DSLite Game of Sonic Rush Adventure 🎬🎮👊🧡
I loved this game I always been a sonic fan 😊
This is good!
Great content, keep it going.
Forces the only game to follow Generations because it includes Sonic's past self. Unless u count Sonic Mania because of the phantom ruby.
Great job
(Replying here) That's fair...I understand it as a gauge for what you have and haven't discussed :) I did post something fairly brief on the Sonic 2/Mario 3 retrospective as well (been watching these, they're very good overall! and interesting parallel with the non-main character being best in CD/Mario 2 there) but I'll hold off any longer comments til more caught up so it doesn't feel overwhelming
Great vid, love the detail
(Replying here) No hurry for a full reply. I just find Sky Sanctuary in 3&K really unforgettable and climbing up to the top is really climactic. It's also one of the most beautiful levels in the game, IMO. As for comparing it to Generations, I like it more than Classic Sonic's level in Generations. Can't really fairly say it's better than Modern Sky Sanctuary although I do think it is more memorable and climactic in 3&K but still the Modern level in Generations is just such a top tier 'blow up' of the whole setting that it's in a different league.
(I know this turned out very long, sorry in advance if it wound up being TOO long or ever looks ranty. Hoping it doesn't.)
Just to say up front, I don't think Generations is objectively a 10/10 or Forces objectively a 1/10 or 2/10. I'd say like an 8.5 and a 5.5 myself, maybe as close as 8 and 5.5. And the pros you said for Forces are not wrong...unfortunately, I just don't care that much about it when Forces' new levels and zones can't touch the quality of eight of Generations' zones. Generations just feels do much more worth it to me to replay levels, something very important to me in a Sonic game that only lasts a couple of hours. I feel much more in control of Sonic overall than I do in Forces, and a lot more likely to be rewarded when testing out to see if there's another path I've missed. These levels feel a lot more fun and satisfying to find the fastest way to get from start to goal, and then master playing that route without having any major speed hiccups. And before that, even searching for all the red rings.
Planet Wisp sticks out like a sore thumb, but I'd still just call it a mediocre and artificially long level after eight good levels that felt the right length. I also find the requirement of beating challenge gates before the bosses to be a bit cheap and it doesn't feel they had much effort put into them to stand out; however, I can look past that when I only spent two or three minutes on each of the three per 'era' I had to do.
Once I have unlocked all of the zones of Generations, I find it a joy to replay these main levels (sans Planet Wisp), get more familiar with their flow, explore for red rings, find paths in both 2D and 3D, and nail that fastest route. (And since Planet Wisp is the last main level, I didn't even need to play it at all, nor the era's challenges, to have access to all eight zones that I cared about.) So yeah if I look at everything and think about just getting to the ending, it's an 8 or 8.5 or so (and Forces like a 5.5, basically as stated earlier).
But if I look at how compelled I am to sink more than just that initial four hours into the game replaying what I want and how I want, spending hours more until I know I've uncovered all the nooks and crannies in the first eight zones and beaten the levels as fast as I can, Generations bumps to that 9.5 whereas Forces just stagnates with me sadly. The quality differences may be less vast on the surface, and it's fine to review from that perspective, but they still ultimately add up to Forces not really feeling like a game I'm excited to replay even a fifth as much, whereas Generations lands on par with the best 2D games on that front.
Hey! I actually don't have any point to make, I mostly just want to say I appreciate the comment and it makes a whole lot of sense. The last paragraph specifically might highlight what I'm not understanding most fans feel the strongest about, and I could very likely feel the same way as I revisit these titles more and more.
Sonic!!!
Sonic 🔥
Are my comments becoming bothersome? No hurry about a rush to reply, I just get concerned if there are hearts on more recents comments as to if it's a sign of unwelcomeness. In any case please let me know! Just tell me to keep em briefer & I will if so :)
No I'm intentionally not hearing some comments because I know I'll get back to them eventually haha. I'm waiting for some down time so I can read through ones that I skipped
I'm pretty happy to hear you and my brother have similar opinions on the game. Overall I think the problem with the Game is more content could've been added/expanded on, luckily it looks like that will be remedied in October 😉.
I'm so hyped for Shadow Generations lol. I don't even know if I'll play the Sonic portion
@@NintenDeen Me too! Mainly because I want the full experience.
Dope
Loving the content fam ✅
(Doing a repost here in case missed)
I might have seen that Mario-Sonic playlist. I'll make sure to give it a more thorough spin if I haven't! Would you be interested in my thoughts on the 'Modern' era in Generations (probably a bit later)?
Also since I've seen 'every version of' Generations stages ranked from the Genesis era I might as well post my favorites and least favorites (and yes there are some trends!):
Green Hill:
3D best - Generations Act 2/Modern
3D worst - Cyberspace 3-5 & Lost Valley
2D best - Mania, particularly Act 2 (in quality; the original obviously wins in importance and is also really good to be fair)
2D worst - Green Hill Green Hill in Forces
Chemical Plant:
3D best - Generations Act 2
3D worst - Maybe some Cyberspace level, or Network Terminal in Forces
2D best - Mania Act 2 (easily, best Act 2 zone remix in the game)
2D worst - Chemical Plant Chemical Plant in Forces (these Forces 2D levels are even more redundant IMO because they were literally just in Mania's Act 1's)
Sky Sanctuary (fewer to compare but whatever):
3D best - Generations Act 2 (sweep!)
3D worst - Idk, some Cyberspace level
2D best - The original 3&K level
2D worst - Probably Cyberspace again (I'm less familiar with Cyberspace in general and Forces isn't competing here)
Definitely saw it just haven't had a chance to reply. You really like sky sanctuary huh? I like the stage for the spectacle but I'm not a huge fan of the layout. Or rather, I just don't enjoy it as much as some of the other ones in 3k
Nice video and cool game.
Amazing content
Just going to add my comments on the individual level selection and quality (as a backdrop, I think all the 3DS levels were good choices as well, regardless of how that version of the game itself fares...rip Heroes/06/Unleashed though in favor of Rush):
Green Hill - Obvious choice, even though I also think Star Light is quite good in Sonic 1, but it wouldn't make a good opener. Here and in Mania are the only two times IMO that Green Hill was appropriate to reuse in the main line up of the game. My favorite Classic Green Hill level is Mania's Act 2, a really good expansion on Sonic 1's Act 3, but both levels here are fun and the fish in Modern made a really nice spectacle part.
Chemical Plant - Another clear choice, and another zone that should have been revisited only here and in Mania. While the Classic level *utterly* IMO pales in comparison to Mania's Act 2 here (one of my favorite Acts in Mania) and I'd probably even call it better in Sonic 2, it gets the job done well enough. The Modern level's great, some tricky shortcuts early and late and an upper path in 2D that keeps you away from the chemical junk. Nice spectacle 3D part midway.
Sky Sanctuary - I got to disagree with you here. Sky Sanctuary is my second favorite Act in Sonic 3&K (after Ice Cap) and one of its most iconic and memorable in the gane's story. It's one of the most beautiful places from the Genesis era. While the other levels you mentioned would have been all fine choices IMO, I don't think Sky Sanctuary is any less good a choice. It was also just a one Act zone in 3&K with an emphasis on story, so the inclusion in Generations gave it the opportunity to be expanded into a full blown place, which I believe was especially well accomplished in Modern. I didn't find either rendition to be shorter or more linear than the Generations norm, either. The Classic level used the abilities of 2.5D better for the first time, which will continue to be seen in the rest of the game, making it my favorite Classic level from the Genesis era.
This has already turned out to be a long comment, so I'm gonna cut it here and not discuss the later eras yet, but please feel free to add whatever you'd like and let me know if you'd be interested in my discussing the other choices! Not sure if I'll have quite as much per level to say or not.
Lastly BTW how would you rank the Genesis games best to worst? Just wondering, for me is 3&K > 2 > CD (got Metal Sonic in here) > 1.
Hi! Yes please add more lol. I don't necessarily have anything to discuss but I'm enjoying reading your take on the selections. Especially the one regarding sky sanctuary because it sheds a different light for me that I didn't think of.
First off to start here, I'm wondering what's your favorite Chemical Plant level (between Sonic 2, Sonic Mania, Generations Classic, and Generations Modern) and what's your favorite Sky Sanctuary level (between Sonic 3&K, Generations Classic, and Generations Modern)? My favorite Chemical Plant level is in Sonic Mania because of its incredible bouncy Act 2 with the [redacted in case of unwanted spoiler] boss fight, with Generations Modern being close behind in second. For Sky Sanctuary, I'd have to say Generations Modern is my favorite, going by level design and gameplay at least.
Moving on in Generations, I think I'm going to keep just Crisis City alone in my comment here, cause it's gonna be a long one! As soon as you run into this location on the hub world, the tone for Sonic 06 has been set perfectly. The place in front of you is a complete wreck. And even the music in the hub world here has got that 'something is wrong, this isn't good!' feel to it. This isn't just merely a setting from Sonic 06; it's the setting that gives the game's impact its best visual and musical representation. Making it already feel fitting.
Classic Sonic's level here was an unexpected scene stealer for me, to say the least. First off the music is simply the best Crisis City music out there, it's so good with the bitcrushed guitar and all. The place is as alive as ever in 2.5D; the first two thirds would already be quite a good level on its own, worthy of one of the best 2D fire levels. But then...comes arguably the most 'Gotcha!' troll moment seen in a 2D Sonic level. The goal post, that's all I'll say. And it's a desperate bolt to the finish, cars flying in the air, wind that stops Sonic from standing still and rips platforms away, even the fire tornado making an appearance. It all makes this one truly exhilarating Classic stage, IMO.
Modern Sonic's level felt less remarkable to me in the context of all Modern levels than Classic's did in the context of all Classic levels, and I actually think the 2D stomp-heavy parts are nowhere near as good as much of the level design that Classic Sonic got for this stage, but it's still great and the ending reimagines the original's Mach Speed part well. It isn't lacking; it just happens to be what they did with Classic Sonic that stuck in my mind more here, even down to the music, which is why I had more to say about it. Might change when I actually start looking at this level for a speedrun, though!
Favorite chemical plant is sonic 2, for nostalgia purposes lol. But the mania one is objectively better. (Sorry just circling back to my comments)
Gonna proceed on with the Adventure/Heroes era! First off though just a question - how would you rank the Genesis games best to worst? Just wondering, for me is 3&K > 2 > CD (got Metal Sonic in here) > 1. (I edited my prior comment to add this snippet but it seems I was a bit too late to do so - no problem though.)
Speed Highway - I don't think Emerald Coast would have been a good choice in this version of the game first of all, because there's a lot of grassy levels already surrounding it, as well as other first levels. Seaside Hill in particular bears setting similarities. Red Mountain would have been my second choice, but they've got a fire level in Crisis City already. Speed Highway, by contrast, is an awesome futuristic city streets/hotel level - they even included a parking garage and escalator! Both renditions are extra solid, Classic once again using the 2.5D to have cars racing up on you and a few distant alternate path views. My only complaint is that the Modern level should *absolutely* have changed to At Dawn in both music and time of day after the police sequence and parking garage, and to grant my wish, there happens to be a mod for the PC version to do just that.
City Escape - The runaway most iconic level from Sonic Adventure 2, and for good reason. The only Sonic 'first level' to actually BEAT the magic of that original Green Hill in my book. The Modern level feels closer to the original than other Modern levels in Generations, but it's still no carbon copy and given just how symbolic a level this was I can't complain. The truck at the end should have been 30 seconds IMO rather than a whole minute, but oh well. The Classic level just worked magic for me here. First off - they put the skateboard powerup in! How cool! Secondly - the late 00s style remix of the originally late 90s style song was a wonder. Thirdly - I just love how you start out on some peaceful sidewalk with the city in the background and the intensity ramps up with time rather than just starting right away. The 2.5D use for the truck is awesome, especially with it knocking down those constructions toward the end, making for some intense platforming.
Seaside Hill - Grand Metropolis, Hang Castle, or Frog Forest could have been used - but this is a fine pick regardless from definitely one of the less loved games in the series so far. I find the flow better than in the overly vast original levels, while memorable areas remain. Also they turned this into the game's water level (which was only in the background in Heroes) and IMO that was a natural choice. The Classic water sections even nod a bit to Classic water levels on the Genesis, and the land above-water below structure reminded me of Aquatic Ruin from Sonic 2. The launch cannons are always a spectacle, and in Classic they use the 2.5D well. The cart runners in Modern are quite a spectacle too, and I'm glad they moved that in from Heroes. All in all another great level capping off the middle third of Generations, and a well chosen use as the game's water level.
Gonna stop here again to not get too massive but will move on to the last third if desired!
I'd rank the classic games the same way you did! Did you happen to watch my Mario vs Sonic playlist? It's basically a 2-in-1 retrospective for both series
In the case of story in my mind THERE IS NO STORY LMAO! It's jus "justification"(I DON'T like usin that word) to say "yes this did happen in the timeline" & also to give the most bare reasonin for Y this is a thing happenin in the 1st place. All they're doin is standin around & talkin sayin "hey remember this. hmm maybe" or "OH WOW U DON'T KNOW WUT'S COMIN CUS U PAST ME THAT'S PRETTY COOL!"(this in particular is hilarious in too many ways lol. "UR FUTURE IS GUNA BE GREAT!" BFFFFGGGHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHA). There's no real theme besides "REMEMBER THE PAST 20YRS OF SONIC!? WE SURE DO". So ye a poor story is guna hurt the overall experience but u can't knock a games' story if it don't have 1! So Gens stays a pretty much "perfect" 10/10 to me(I hope SXSG adds a good story wit the game & the CHARACTER cus I'm alr sold gameplay wise but I'm EXETREMELY worried they'll retcon his stuff from heroes to forces & shadow is my fav character for all that stuff WAY more than SA2 but I know ppl literally gaslight themselves cus they hate his game so much, even then they'd still be retreadin stuff for the like 4th or 5th time wit his character arc & that sucks cus I'd rather finally get somethin substantially new but there's a bulk of reasons I understand Y they're not doin it yet & especially not here so jus make this good & consistent I beg. Gens will undeniably be the "best" sonic game if not only the gameplay but the story is solid & adds to, not detracts from an alr immaculate experience). In the og release they even let u unlock the ability to play the OG Sonic 1 on a Genesis/Mega Drive emulated(They sadly seem to be removin this in the re-release prob cus Origins WHICH SUCKS cus Origins is JUS the remasters shittily mashed together wit NO WAY to play the OGs cus Sega's too money grubby to not literally delist everythin on current platforms that remotely has them). Yes Planet Wisp IS that popular(it's my fav in colors too) but I do love the other ones. I'm kinda sad imo in doesn't hit the heights of the other stages or the OG but it's fine. That final boss is the only strong or tangible criticism I have against it. I love pretty much everythin else & for the minor parts I'm not fond of I can jus skip cus it ain't mandatory. I love the customization for sonic accessories u can do to vary gameplay, The switchable ost in gameplay, & I WISH they took from this game cus the addition of havin amigos as extra abilities for specific stages while STILL bein SONIC & that connect to how hey played as full playable characters wit little to no compromise is GENIUS & only Heroes & 06 rival it in that regard. I like frontiers & its ideas for the most part but I'll always take a shorter compact & consistent experience that fires on all cylinders the bulk of the way through & I adore it over a game that's enjoyable but takes tons of hrs if I'm not breakin it in a speedrun & while it has high highs it also got HORRENDOUS LOWS I'LL LOATH TILL DEATH & is very inconsistent & carried by a few things that namely crutch on the novelty barely held together by duck-tape & some hot-glue. Sonic is meant to be the former but it always feels as tho it has to force itself into the latter cus VGs aren't "worth the money" unless they take half ur goddamn lifetime to jus beat much less complete & most ppl barely got the time to play it for a couple hrs a day these days anyway.
edit: P.S. I wish they were able to add the storybook games cus I know they were guna but ran outta time. I'm also guna say it here ahead of time but the 3DS version REALLY should've been a 2D sonic celebration but it did jus ONE stage from the 1st Rush & they said it would be that so they really jus lied, like REALLY!? c'mon man...
Mp?
Thanks!
Respectfully disagree. I think that Generations is the best sonic game. I donr really think about the story, since thats not what i play sonic games for. Anyways, the missions are usually have good and original level design, so i disnt rly mind the padding that much. Also, imo, it has the most polish, both as a game, and the gameplay. The only miss is rly the final boss, imo. Its also my favorite video game of all time 👍
Yes, i do think that ut has the best gameplay overall
I mean it's definitely a good shout. It's one of my top Sonic games, just not my favorite. Honestly wish the shadow campaign it's entirely possible sonic x shadow gens ends up becoming my favorite
@@NintenDeen never said you had to fake what you truly thought, or that you had the change your opinion. Its far more good to form your own opinion, and not copy other ones. 👍 For shadow generations, im cautiously optimistic. Sega us still continue the wack deluxe version stuff, like for origins and colors ultimate. Also, they could mess it up like those remakes/remasters. However, I still had tons of fun playing those.
Bro stop playing sonic games , they WILL ruin you play mario , donkey kong , kirby or something else , I'm not forcing you , it's just a foreshadowing
Nah, Sonic is way more fun than those slow games. My adhd chose Sonic for me, ima stay with it
@@Super_Sonic_gamer714 huh , funny thing , I thought like that too back when I was 11 (15 now) , but now , I know better, but hey , enjoy what you enjoy
I love how you're still hearting comments here , respect for the dedication :>
@@thepaperunicorn09 I used to reply to every comment but now it's too difficult to keep up with 🤣. But I want people to know I'm reading them haha
@@NintenDeen lol